Overview
Issaquah is a flourishing city in Western Washington. Surrounded by plenty of natural parks and forests, Issaquah is an optimal retirement location for active adults who enjoy getting outdoors. The city’s downtown area features local shopping and dining options, and Issaquah is under half an hour away from Seattle, offering locals access to city life at their leisure.
Climate & Geography
The climate in Issaquah is warm-summer Mediterranean, meaning summer are warm and humid, while winters are chilly and extremely wet. Residents can expect an average of 53 inches of rainfall, 6 inches of snowfall, and approximately 154 sunny days throughout each year.
Issaquah is situated on lower land in a mountainous area, southeast of Seattle. The city is surrounded on three sides by mountains known as the Issaquah Alps: Cougar Mountain, Squak Mountain, and Tiger Mountain. Lake Sammamish is located just to the northwest, and Issaquah Creek and Tibbetts Creek run through the city's center.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Nature lovers will appreciate that Issaquah is immersed in natural surroundings. Lake Sammamish State Park is located just north of the city. Residents can enjoy kayaking, swimming, and boating on the lake. Tiger Mountain State Forest, just south of Issaquah, offers views overlooking the greenery of the area. Additionally, the area is home to plenty of other parks, offering plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities to locals.
Issaquah’s vibrant downtown scene features plenty of restaurants, art galleries, and activities for locals to enjoy. The city has plenty of annual festivals for residents to enjoy, including the Reindeer Festival, Salmon Days, and the city’s Fourth of July celebration.
Downtown Seattle is conveniently located less than half an hour away from Issaquah, making it easy for locals to find more extensive shopping and entertainment options when desired.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Issaquah is higher than the state and national average. This is mainly due to the higher cost of housing, although transportation and grocery costs are above average as well. Health care and utility costs in Issaquah are below the national average.
Washington is considered to be a tax-friendly state, as it does not have Social Security tax or income tax. Sales tax in Issaquah is higher than the national average, at 10 percent.
Health Care
The Seattle Area scores high on Gallup’s Well-Being Index, coming in the top 51 communities in the country.
Overlake Medical Center, in nearby Bellevue, is ranked the No. 11 hospital in Washington by U.S. News, and is rated high performing in four procedures and conditions. University of Washington Medical Center, located in Seattle, is ranked the No. 1 hospital in the state. The hospital is nationally ranked in six specialties, and rated high performing in four specialties and five procedures/conditions.